On October 27, 2009, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued a final rule that adds nine new items to the list of designated biobased items that are afforded a Federal purchasing preference under Section 9002 of the Farm Security and Rural Investment Act of 2002. The final rule, as it appeared in the Federal Register notice (74 FR 55089), is viewable here.

Chain and cable lubricants – Products designed to provide lubrication in such applications as bar and roller chains, sprockets, and wire ropes and cables. Products may also prevent rust and corrosion in these applications.

Corrosion preventatives – Products designed to prevent the deterioration (corrosion) of metals.

Food cleaners – Anti-microbial products designed to clean the outer layer of various food products, such as fruit, vegetables, and meats.

Forming lubricants – Products designed to provide lubrication during metalworking applications that are performed under extreme pressure.  Such metalworking applications include tube bending, stretch forming, press braking, and swaging.

Gear lubricants – Products, such as greases or oils, that are designed to reduce friction when applied to a toothed machine part (such as a wheel or cylinder) that meshes with another toothed part to transmit motion or to change speed or direction.

General purpose household cleaners – Products designed to clean multiple common household surfaces. This designated item does not include products that are formulated for use as disinfectants. Task-specific cleaning products, such as spot and stain removers, upholstery cleaners, bathroom cleaners, glass cleaners, etc., are not included in this item.

Industrial cleaners – Products used to remove contaminants, such as adhesives, inks, paint, dirt, soil, and grease, from parts, products, tools, machinery, equipment, vessels, floors, walls, and other production-related work areas. The cleaning products within this item are usually solvents, but may take other forms. They may be used in either straight solution or diluted with water in pressure washers, or in hand wiping applications in industrial or manufacturing settings, such as inside vessels. Task-specific cleaners used in industrial settings, such as parts wash solutions, are not included in this definition.

Multipurpose cleaners – Products used to clean dirt, grease, and grime from a variety of items in both industrial and domestic settings. This designated item does not include products that are formulated for use as disinfectants.

Parts wash solutions – Products that are designed to clean parts in manual or automatic cleaning systems. Such systems include, but are not limited to, soak vats and tanks, cabinet washers, and ultrasonic cleaners.